What is evidence-based practice?

videnced-based practice (EBP) is applying or translating research findings in our daily patient care practices and clinical decision-making. 

EBP also involves integrating the best available evidence with clinical knowledge and expertise, while considering patients’ unique needs and personal preferences. If used consistently, optimal patient outcomes are more likely to be achieved.

Using EBP means abandoning outdated care delivery practices and choosing effective, scientifically validated methods to meet individual patient needs. Health care providers who use EBP must be skilled at discerning the value of research for their specific patient population. 

How to apply EBP in clinical practice

Evaluating all of the available evidence on a subject would be a nearly impossible task. Luckily, there are a number of EBP processes that have been developed to help health care providers implement EBP in the workplace.

The most common process follows these six steps:

1. ASK a question. Is there something in your clinical setting that you are wondering about? Perhaps you wonder if a new intervention is more effective than the one currently used. Ask yourself: What works well and what could be improved? And, more importantly, WHY? Evaluate the processes and workflow that impact, or are impacted by, the identified practice gap. We’ll use a format called PICO(T) (pronounced “pee ko”). Learn more about PICOT questions in the next module.

2. ACQUIRE the current evidence. You’ll do this by conducting a literature search. Your search will be guided by your clinical question.

3. APPRAISE the literature. Or, in other words, sort, read, and critique peer-reviewed literature.

4. APPLY your findings to clinical decision-making. Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values. Then make evidence-based recommendations for day-to-day practice.

5. EVALUATE your outcomes. Review data and document your approach. Be sure to include any revisions or changes. Keep close tabs on the outcomes of your intervention. Evaluate and summarize the outcome.

6. DISSEMINATE the information. Share the results of your project with others. Sharing helps promote best practices and prevent duplicative work. It also adds to the existing resources that support or oppose the practice.

Though we may learn how to apply EBP by participating in project-based work, integrating EBP in our daily practice can help us strive to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. It requires us to be thoughtful about our practice and ask the right questions.

It's important to note that although applying evidence at the bedside can be conducted individually, working collaboratively as a team is more likely to result in lasting improvement.

What’s the difference between research and EBP?

There is a common misconception that EBP and research are one in the same. Not true! While there are similarities, one of the fundamental differences lies in their purpose. The purpose of conducting research is to generate new knowledge or to validate existing knowledge based on a theory. Research involves systematic, scientific inquiry to answer specific questions or test hypotheses using disciplined, rigorous methods. For research results to be considered reliable and valid, researchers must use the scientific methods in orderly, sequential steps.

In contrast, the purpose of EBP isn’t about developing new knowledge or validating existing knowledge—it’s about translating the evidence and applying it to clinical practice and decision-making. The purpose of EBP is to use the best available evidence to make informed patient-care decisions. Most of the best evidence stems from research, but EBP goes beyond research and includes the clinical expertise of the clinician and healthcare teams, as well as patient preferences and values.   

Before you begin – a few important considerations

Do you have more than just evidence?

Research findings, in the absence of other considerations, should not be used independently to justify a change in practice. Other factors that must be considered include:

• Patient values and preferences

• Experience of the health care provider

• Patient assessment and laboratory findings

• Data obtained from other sources, such as unit-based metrics and workflow 

For EBP strategies to result in the best patient outcomes, all of these factors must be  considered.

Do you have adequate sponsorship and resources?

To implement EBP, we also need to consider if the implementation of the project will be supported by administration and institutional resources. For example, suppose there is a strong body of evidence showing reduced incidence of depression in pregnant women who receive cognitive therapy sessions when they are hospitalized for extended periods of time. While this might be a great idea, budget constraints may prevent hiring a therapist to offer this treatment.  

While you are thinking of resources, think about people, or human resources. Who in your organization can assist you with the project? Are there content experts or key stakeholders that you should involve early on?

Do you have access to data and a plan for measuring progress?

Just like research, we must evaluate and monitor any changes in outcomes after implementing an EBP project so that positive effects are supported and negative effects are remedied. An intervention may be highly effective in a rigorously controlled trial, but that doesn’t always indicate it will work exactly the same way in your clinical setting or for your individual patients.   

Conclusion

The goal of conducting EBP is to utilize current knowledge and connect it with patient preferences and clinical expertise to standardize and improve care processes and, ultimately, patient outcomes. 

This article originally appeared 12/18/19. It was updated to reflect currrent practice 2/26/21.